A waterfall is always a special natural phenomenon. And you’ll absolutely find the most beautiful ones in Iceland. Waterfalls in Iceland are especially impressive because of their height and the huge amount of water rushing down. Some waterfalls are very famous and touristy, while others attract almost no visitors at all. There are so many to choose from that you might not know where to start. Luckily, we’ve listed our favorite waterfalls of this island nation for you. And whether you go in summer or winter, there’s always something to see.
My top 10 waterfalls in Iceland
| Skógafoss | One of the most famous waterfalls, and you can climb it via a staircase. |
| Gullfoss | Iceland’s golden waterfall, because the water shimmers golden in the evening sun. |
| Dettifoss | Europe’s most powerful waterfall, with a width of 100 meters. |
| Goðafoss | A breathtaking waterfall with a mystical history connected to the gods. |
| Seljalandsfoss | A 60-meter-high waterfall where you can walk behind the curtain of water. |
| Svartifoss | Unique basalt rock formations make the water stand out bright white. |
| Hraunfossar | A network of waterfalls flowing over lava rocks. |
| Kirkjufellsfoss | One of Iceland’s best photo spots is on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. |
| Brúarfoss | Brúarfoss is known for its striking turquoise-blue water color. |
| Háifoss | At 120 meters high, Háifoss lies in the middle of untouched nature in the Þjórsárdalur valley. |
Skógafoss
This 60-meter-high waterfall is located in the south of Iceland along the Ring Road and is easy to reach. A staircase takes you all the way up to the edge of the waterfall, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view. From Skógafoss, you can also continue toward the famous hiking route Laugavegur, which leads to Landmannalaugar.
The climb up is tough, but the staircase helps a lot. Once you’re at the top, you’ll see even more (smaller) waterfalls, so definitely take your time here.
Height
60 meters
Location
South
Accessibility
Parking within a short walk.
Gullfoss
The golden waterfall is located in the southwest of the island. Gullfoss owes its name to the mix of water and air, which glows a golden color in the evening sun. The 30-meter-high waterfall can be reached via a narrow path, where you’ll have a breathtaking view. Because it is part of the so-called “Golden Circle,” a popular scenic route in Iceland, it is very well known.
Dettifoss
At Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall, spectacle is guaranteed, because the water plunges down from about 45 meters high. But it’s not just the height that makes this natural show so fascinating—its enormous width of roughly 100 meters plays a big role too. Dettifoss is located in the northeast of the island and can be reached from Akureyri.
Note: if the road is snowy, it can be difficult to get here.
Height
45 meters
Location
Northeast
Accessibility
There are 2 parking areas: Dettifoss East & West. From both sides it’s a short walk.
Goðafoss
Goðafoss is located in the northeast of the country and got its name from an Icelandic legend. According to the story, a chieftain decided that Christianity should become the official religion of his people and threw the old pagan idols into Goðafoss as a sign of their powerlessness.
Height
12 meters
Location
Northeast
Accessibility
Parking within a short walk.
Seljalandsfoss
This waterfall in South Iceland not only has an impressive height of 60 meters, but it also stands out because you can walk all the way around it. That way, you can view the waterfall “behind the scenes” and enjoy the magical view through the curtain of water.
You can read all about it in my blog about Seljalandsfoss waterfall.
Tip that most people forget: Just a short walk away you’ll find the Gljufrabui waterfall. An absolute must-see when you’re here! You walk through a narrow gap in the mountain to get there and you’ll see a beautiful waterfall. Most visitors skip this one, so it stays wonderfully quiet.
Height
60 meters
Location
South
Accessibility
Paid parking within a short walk.
Svartifoss
Even though this waterfall doesn’t carry a huge amount of water, it’s impressive because of the unique basalt rock formations. The contrast with the black rocks also makes the water stand out beautifully. Another bonus: the waterfall sits outside the main tourist flow. You’ll need to do a beautiful hike to reach it first. An absolute must!
We’ve written a separate blog about Svartifoss. You can read it here!
Hraunfossar
Hraunfossar is an impressive waterfall that spreads out like a network across the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Because of the black lava rock, the water looks pure white.
Height
12 meters
Location
West
Accessibility
Parking within a short walk.
Kirkjufellsfoss
Kirkjufellsfoss is located on the Snæfellsnes peninsula at the foot of Kirkjufell Mountain and is impressive because of its picture-perfect beauty. In harmony with Kirkjufell Mountain, the water cascades down and creates an unbeatable photo moment you don’t want to miss!
Kirkjufell Mountain is 463 meters high and has a distinctive cone-shaped peak. It’s also known as the “church mountain” because the shape of the summit looks like a church spire.
Height
16 meters
Location
West
Accessibility
Parking within a short walk.
Brúarfoss
Not far from Goðafoss you’ll find Brúarfoss waterfall—an absolute gem! The turquoise-blue water, fed by a glacier, tumbles down here in two steps over black lava rocks. The hike to get there is beautiful too, and you’ll pass several waterfalls along the way.
We’ve written a separate blog about Brúarfoss with tips on the hike, parking, and everything else you need to know!
Háifoss
Right in the middle of the dramatic landscape of the Þjórsárdalur valley lies Háifoss, the third-highest waterfall in Iceland, with a height of 120 meters. It may not be the easiest one to reach, but it’s absolutely worth it, because this giant is something truly special.
Have a great time exploring the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland!
